Randolph, Blazers extend winning streak to four games

Randolph had 26 points and seven rebounds and Travis Outlaw
scored 15 points off the bench as the Trail Blazers pushed their
winning streak to four games with a 109-99 victory over the Los
Angeles Clippers.

A 6-9 forward, Randolph had been on a tear this season. The
19th overall pick in 2001 is averaging a career high in points
(25.3) and has 14 double-doubles in 24 games.

"Zach especially is really stepping up," Portland coach Nate
McMillan said. "He's making the effort on both ends. He's
passing the ball out when the double teams come and he's making
an effort on defense as well."

On Friday, Randolph made 9-of-21 shots from the field while also
adding a season-high five assists.

"We are playing good basketball," Randolph said. "Everybody is
doing what they are supposed too and they are stepping up. We
hit some deep balls, Ime (Udoka) and Travis were big and that's
what we need. We need everybody."

Portland (11-14) is more than halfway to its win total from all
of last season when it went a woeful 21-61.

"This is a good job for these guys," McMillan said. "They're
just doing a good job of understanding one another, of playing
team basketball, and following the game plan and executing it."

The Clippers closed within 67-66 at the five-minute mark of the
third quarter. But the Blazers took control from there and never
looked back.

Jarrett Jack scored six of his 14 points in a 14-6 run to close
the third quarter, which gave the Blazers an 81-72 cushion.
Portland continued to pull away thereafter.

Juan Dixon drained a jumper and Udoka made a 3-pointer from the
left corner, giving Portland a commanding 104-88 with 3:45
remaining.

Udoka scored 13 points and Dixon added 12 for the Blazers, who
shot 51 percent (40-of-78) and made 9-of-15 from the arc.

All-Star Elton Brand had 23 points and 10 rebounds and Shaun
Livingston contributed 16 points and a season high-tying 10
assists for Los Angeles, which fell to 1-8 on the road this
season.

"Defense. That's what it all comes down too," Livingston said.
"If you can't make any stops, you can't win any games. It's as
basic as that. Unless you're Phoenix or someone like that,
you'll never get anywhere if you can't guard that guys in front
of you. We will continue to loose unless we change that,
regardless."